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I have been trying to install Linux Mint 16 Petra using a removable USB thumb drive on my laptop, and after multiple attempts, I get the same error every time:

error: file '/boot/grub/i386-pc/normal.mod' not found.
Entering rescue mode...
grub rescue>

I tried following the instructions here, but absolutely none of it helped.

How do I get my computer to boot?

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13
  • So you can boot from USB, but get the grub error on 'normal' boot. Like the thread you gave a link to, are there initial boot options from USB?
    – rickhg12hs
    Nov 23, 2013 at 11:57
  • @rickhg12hs: With the USB thumb drive connected, the only options are to boot from the USB drive or run some memory tests. Nothing that can help the GRUB error.
    – Questioner
    Nov 23, 2013 at 16:02
  • There are no boot options from USB? E.g., BIOS vs UEFI?
    – rickhg12hs
    Nov 23, 2013 at 16:20
  • @rickhg12hs: Nope. Should there be?
    – Questioner
    Nov 23, 2013 at 16:23
  • 1
    @rickhg12hs: Maybe... I don't know what's happening right now, but I can't seem to boot from the USB thumb drive now either. I've checked the BIOS settings and I should be able to. It's possible my thumb drive has died, so I'm going to have to get another one to try.
    – Questioner
    Nov 23, 2013 at 19:08

3 Answers 3

Reset to default
3

The solution was to boot the computer using the USB stick, and then run Boot Repair, which I only just learned about.

It was easy to install via repository, and the process was very clear. It reported an error, but the computer was able to reboot successfully anyway.

In the GRUB menu, the default option says ubuntu instead of Linux Mint, but I can live with that.

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2
  • 2
    Glad you were able to fix it. Waiting for a Mint kernel update or running 'sudo update-grub' may "fix" the grub Ubuntu listing.
    – rickhg12hs
    Nov 24, 2013 at 15:09
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    @rickhg12hs: Thank you for all your suggestions and help along the way. Strangely, the GRUB listing seems to have corrected itself, though I can't be sure why or how. Likely it was something to do with some updates I did with the GUI update manager, but I couldn't tell you exactly what.
    – Questioner
    Nov 25, 2013 at 3:08
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Use these lines in menu.lst from grub4dos USb boot:

#  #  #
find --set-root /linuxmint.iso
map (hd0) (hd1)
map (hd1) (hd0)
map --mem /firadisk.img (fd1)
map --mem (md)0x6000+800 (fd0)
map --mem /linuxmint.iso (0xff)
map --hook
dd if=(fd1) of=(fd0) count=1
chainloader (0xff)
#  #  #

PS:

  1. linuxmint.iso work with install of any OS iso

  2. firadisk.iso is a virtual iso(google it)

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1
  • 1) He doesn't have grub4dos, 2) he isn't trying to boot the iso image, and 3) dd is not a grub command.
    – psusi
    Feb 1, 2014 at 18:21
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look at diddy manual. He has the command cc there

diddy.boot-land.net/firadisk/files/win_iso_install.htm

also last guide on this page called "Using dd to edit sectors"

http://www.rmprepusb.com/tutorials/grub4dos#TOC-grub4dos-undocumented-commands

then please comment

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